Shaft concentricity testing and assorting machine



Nov. 21, 1950 H. N. BANEY 'ETAL SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 2, 1948 1311187112715" Harry Afole Barley "6 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. N. BANEY ET AL Nov. 21, 1950 SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE Filed March 2, 194a fnz/rziara fi cuvzy M516 flame Louis all e72. CZ;

Nov. 21, 1950 H. N. BANEY ETAL 2,531,317

SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1948 v ,6 Sheets-Sheet 3' [712087213 075 flarry jy OZZe Janey Nov. 21, 1950 H. N. BANEY ETAL 2,531,317

SHAI TT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1948 s. Shets-Sheet 4.

172 Harry H. N. BANEY EI'AL Nov. 21, 1950 SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1948 6,; Sheets-Sheet. 5

f i e E 1M5 .4 y 3% 3d 3% Him l a J Nov. 21, 1950 SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING AND ASSORTING MACHINE H. N. BANEY ETAL i atented Nov.

SHAFT CONCENTRICITY TESTING ANl ASSORTIN G MACHINE Harry N. Baney, Louis Allen Cooper Slentz, Arlo A. Kirkpatrick, and Charles E. Brickley, Muncie, Ind., assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 2, 1948, Serial No. 12,514

This invention relates to machines for testing the concentricity or curvature of cylindrical surfaces of articles, such as shafts and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a machine for testing the concentricity of cylindrical surfaces of articles, such as shafts, and which machine is fully automatic in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic testing machine of the type described employing improved means for checking the concentricity or curvature of the cylindrical surfaces of articles, such as shafts, including means for positioning the articles in predetermined relation to a device adapted to indicate eccentricity of the surfaces.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic testing machine of the type described incorporating mechanism for checking the concentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of articles, mechanism for feeding the articles to the checking mechanism for testing and for removing the tested articles from the checking mechanism, and indexing mechanism operative to control the operation of the feeding and checking mechanisms in sequence.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for testing the concentricity of cylindrical surfaces of articles of various lengths and different diameters.

A further object of this invention is to'provide an automatic machine of the type described incorporating electrically controlled means for in dicating eccentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of articles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide anautomatic machine of the type described embodying electrically controlled means for separating articles having eccentric cylindrical surfaces and articles having concentric cylindrical surfaces into two different groups.

Our invention consists of the novel construetions, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following detailed description of a certain preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying the principles of our invention; I

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine taken along the lines 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the machine taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational section of a portion of the indexing mechanism of the machine, said view being taken in the plane indicated by line 4-4 01 Fig. 3;

12 Claims. (Cl. 20982) Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another portion of the indexing mechanism of the machine taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the testing or checking mechanism taken along line 6-4: of Fig. 3 illustrating a sliding lock;

Fig. 7 is a, sectional view of another portion of the checking and testing mechanism illustrating an adjustable device for supporting a shaft in checking position, said view being taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a top view thereof taken in the plane indicated by line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

-' 4 and engageable With the bed I.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of another portion of the checking mechanism taken along line 99 of Fig. 2 and illustrating a shaft-contacting plunger and an electric switch arrangement actuable thereby; a

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view thereo taken along line I0-I 0 of Fig; 9; and

Fig. 11 is another enlarged transverse sectional view thereof taken along line lil I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control system of the machine.

The machine shown for purpose of illustration comprises a frame having a bed or base I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, having spaced upwardly extending support portions or standards designated 2, 3 and 4, the standard 2 being connected to the bed or base by bolts, as shown and the standard 3 being in the form of a Wall integral with the base. The standard 4 is connected by means of a dovetail joint 5 to the base I for sliding movement transversely of the machine toward and from the standard 3. For this purpose, the base of the standard 3 is provided with a rack 6 engageable with a pinion I rotatably mounted on the bed or base i and rotatable by a handle 8 fixed to a hub extension of the pinion. When the standard It has been moved to ootain a desired spaced relation between the standards 3 and E, the standard 4 may be fixed to the bed I by bolts 9 threaded into the base of the standard The adjustment of the standard Ll relative to the standard 3 is for a purpose later to be described. A shaft I0 is rotatably mounted in the standards 2 and 3 and is adapted to be driven by a motor through the medium of a pulley arrangement described hereinafter.

Briefly referring to the various components of feeding, checking and indexing mechanisms of the machine prior to their detailed description, the feeding mechanism is adapted to deliver the shafts to the checking mechanism and comprises a feed hopper or chute l2 (Figs. 1 and 2) receiving the shafts A to be checked or inspected, shaftfeeding members or cams l3 extending upwardly in openings at opposite ends of the table l2 and 3 operativelyconnected to the indexing mechanism for delivering th sha' ts A one ,at a tirneffto a pair of spaced'wneels [4 adjacent the wall 3 and standard 4 and fixed to the shaft I0, said wheels having notches IS in their peripheries for simultaneously receiving a shaft from the chute il presenting a shaft B to the checking mechanism for inspection of its cylindrical surface, deligering the checked shaft, indicated at. C,.to a delivery chute l2a, during rotation of the wheels.

The mechanism for checkingo'r testing the concentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of;the shaits comprises a pair of devic'es'gnerally indicated at i6, l6 for supporting a shaftpB at opposite ends thereof during the checking cycle of he. mach ne. n ural ty .ofimtatab l r l er l 1 ensas ab ew t l hei BlifQ rotat n the same, and a pair of mechanically-operatedelectr s swit a v ee generallyindiea e at 118. I8 ienese .Iin naee ,re en tele el e he a erme iate th c he treii por d vi e 1. 1 o thel rneee. ,e '.;d termimns a d ind c ti g eeex irieifi a fin .ey in iea lsuriee Pf th Sha t b in ns e d nche h sheit i- Th pslea eamj ha smei nctiqns mrmv a plurality of cycles of machine operation includis le sh ft-lemm ea nd ehe reheekin cycle. In the shaft-feeding ,cy ole and referring to Fig. 2,,the cams' l3 are actuated to deliver a shaft A toilet nthe wheels i4 and the wheels, 14' arerotat ton ioye th a A e shaft X to the checking position" occupied by B the rotation of the" wheels dai fig the shaft B to move to the position ofthe shaft C fordeliveryto thefdlivry inure jl 2iiffthe rollers I], n being raise d'fduringrotatiofi fertile wheels to permit suth deiiyei-y crime snaiti 1B t'o"trie d iivei-y chute [2a and to 11 X to berho'ved into position above fthe heckipg devices a; t. During the shaft 'kii'i'g'icycle,'tlieiwheels I4, 1| 4' are; held against? ration an the rpn'er'sere loweredt'o engage andg'rota'te the shaft tobe'ins ee l e che k n r i i 'e iee' J wh e inure e ent" cylindrical'i surface of the shaft is feccentric, :will "eirgt'b eraucn for an e egtrica'lly-controlled' device to indicate the shaft is def e ive' in'a manner hereinafterdescribed.

The inde'iing mechanism .operativ'e'during the shaft-feeding' cy cle comprisesan eccentric device iridicatedfla (Figs. 2fand5) operating toggle motion linkage generally indicated 20 for actuating the cams 13 to feed the shafts one at a time to the rotatable wheels] 4, a double carn'dvice 2 l '(Figs. 2; Sand llactuating a pawland'ratcht mechanism 22 for efiec'ting rotation of the wheels M for the purpose described. The indexing mechanism also" comprises a slide" device 1 indicated generally at -23 and cdoperating' withthe cam device Zl to raise and lower-the' rotating rollers H, the rollers being raised during the 'rotationof the 'wheelsld to deliverthe tested shaft Ctothe delivery chuteJZa andto bring a shaft, such as the shaftlB into position forinspection and the rollers thereafter being' lowered 'to rotate the s'haftLB during the inspection lcycle.

Describing the feeding and indexing mechanisms in detail, the feeding imechanism comprises the chute .12 (Figs. .1 and-2)' fix'ed. to side wallsJa and :lb' of theframe and inclined toward the wheels 14 for permitting the shafts A-tobe fedby gravity to thenotches l5.in the wheels 14. Alp-late 24 is mounted at cppositelends thereof on shafts 2,5, 25 slidable verticallyin bosses 26, .25 formed on the side walls la and -l b,of,the,machin f adj s m n of th p te relative 4 to the table lz for the purposecf permitting the feedfto beadjusted to any desired height to accommodate any desired diameter of shafts which are to be inspected and to maintain the shafts in a single layer as they are fed to the [cams 13f Upon'a'd ustment of the plate 24, it

2) rotatably disposed in the side Walls of the frame and each barn is formed with a notch to provide jaw 281receiving opposite ends of a shaft A, th 'part 28d of'ach jaw preventing movement of the shaft A toward the wheels M in the position of the cams shown in Fig. 2 and adapted, upon rotation. (of; the cams; ,ina clockwise ediIBC- tion tomerm t-th cshaft to 1:011, ,downl-the. tab I 2 toward the-whe .14,,a Qther p '.-2 b. of l iaw; ein s-interposed betwee th lrelease s a and th next sh t .iA' to pr ven rele seaof the et sha w be apDarent-thatretum of he ca li thei ori nal p sitions wi l-m v each of the jaw parts 28b thereof below the chute l2 and us he. parts 118a of; th aws toen a the latter shaftA.

.Il f to th ha t -.c ryins wh els .114. thesewheeh r splined thes a t i and rotate it heeh t. d in eac v sh ftrieed ng l ,,d 1 r :t V-sha t B. ter chec in t th abl iz e st in ha nto the. h eking position previously,,occupied, by the shaftB; e Wh els! eareax a l ad ustable e h s a l0 te pe m s afts. f .difi en lleneth m b arne a ac nt h irlfl l -h th WhQ After such adjustment, .;the wheels are fixed against ie evement t radially dis osed set-screws t reade n h lwhee sandiensa ine heshai leee r y eWnn i 2- t may be n ed hat th ne ehe l;. .i. .eae h o ;.t.he.-wh e1s Mere reumie en i lydi pose nsn cedlrel ti and are of V-shape to pick up, carryandpermit-the rea y, r le se e -i h sha t as W11 .as toaGCQmmesi i s aft ,e .difi r n di m t r I o th nspected. As shown in Figs. 1 ,and 3,. an annular disc 29 is provided adjacent each,of-the,,wheels Mend h se-dis lensa lon es t ends-of the emit X, Ban t pre e tlonzi u inai movemeet t ereof.- \I'h disc arelspl ned o th hait l" eniereexiell l d bl on th sha 19 for adjustment to engage the opposite ends of shafts of si te en len th the la e be n fixed to. the ha t w nthe same 11 13 1 11 a th .Wheels 14.

11B ferina 9iv1te th me hanism f r hec n the. cgncentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of h sha t It de ice de imated. at 1 .ie ar ll and .eeenerat w h th identical iii e ehe Vi the'whe'e s J4 tfih eeeivin the shaft yte s pp rt he ha t? duri the c eckin of the. concentricity of the cylindrical surface 0f the, sha ft ;B{ by the ,devices {8, 1,8. As shown :in Figs. -3 and 7, e,ach of :the devices 1-5, 6 comprises ,acglumn w hayin a'loasevdl connected-to e ed sta ner ien 1%? .e h f am by means .of nuts 33, disposed in channels 34, 3 nfithB -tC-p0f edesta mead-11 9 2 ext nd n through the base and threaded-into theznuts 2 The channels ,34, 35i extendfrom one -encltothe otherof thepedestalto permit adjustmentpft-he columns 38 transversely of the machine for the purpose of disposing the devices I 6, 16, adjacent respective wheels I4 upon adjustmentofthe wheels M and discs 29 to accommodate shafts ofdi f re t lengths. llhecolumnsmay-be fixed tothe pedesa 5. bylenea inszth t readed lends. of,the' bolts 35, 35 with the bottoms of the channels 1314,64

in the pedestal 32, as shown in Fig. 3. Each column 30 is formed with a recess 35 through which extends the shaft l and at its upper end is formed with 'angularly offset portions 3! and 38, the portion 31 having threaded engagement with a thumb screw 39 extending within and connected by means of a lock ring 48 to a movable block 4| slidably engaging a side of the column portion 38. The block 4| has a tongue and groove connection 42 with the column portion 38 and is provided with a vertically extending elongate opening 43 receiving a bolt 44 in threaded engagement with the column portion 38 to clamp the block 4| to the column portion 38. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, each block 4| is provided on its top surface with an opening for receiving a flat piece 45 of wear-resistant material, such as tungsten carbide, adapted to support the adjacent ends of the shaft B. It will be apparent that the blocks 4| may be adjusted vertically by actuation of the thumb screws 39 so that the upper surfaces of the fiat pieces 45 may be disposed in alignment with each other and with the notches I in the wheels M to support a shaft to be inspected, such as the shaft B, each of the ends of the shaft being supported directly on the flat pieces 45 and maintained in engagement with the pieces 45 by the V-shaped notches I5 in the wheels |4 during rotation of the shaft B by the rollers ll. After such adjustment of the blocks 4|, the bolts 44 may be utilized to clamp the blocks to the associated columns 36, 39. It will be noted that, in the event the shaft-supporting pieces 45 become worn, the bolts 44 may be rotated to permit the blocks 4| to be moved upwardly to engage the shaft .8. Also-the blocks 4| may be suitably adjusted to permit engagement of the pieces 45 with shafts of different diameters received within the notches l5 of the wheels l4.

During the inspection of the shaft B, the rollers rotate the shaft and, for thi purpose, are made of rubber. It may be noted from an inspection of Fig. 1, that three rollers H are utilized to rotate the shaft B, two of the rollers being on one side of the shaft and one on the opposite side of the shaft to insure the rollers holding the shaft B against the flat shaft-supporting pieces 45 during rotation of the shaft B. The rollers are fixed on shafts 45 extending through a hollow housing 41 having laterally extending base portions secured to the top of the wall 3 of the frame by bolts as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Referring to Fig. 4, the housing 4'! is of inverted U-shape construction and the shafts are rotatably mounted in a bearing block 49 received within the housing. To regulate the pressure of the drive rollers H on the shaft B, as well as for the purpose of vertically moving the rollers into and out of engagement with the shaft B, the bearing block 45 is vertically movable through the medium of tongue and groove connections 55, 55 to the vertical portions of the housing 4! and the block is connected to one end of a threaded member 5| extending through the horizontal top portion of the housing and having a'nut 52 connected thereto to adjust the tension of springs 53, disposed between the block and the housing, and thereby the pressure of the rollers on the shaft B, a lock nut 54 being engageable with the nut 52 to prevent undesired rotation of the nut 52. The bearing block 45 is vertically movable for the purpose described above by the cam andslide devices 2| and 23 of the inlexing mechanism in a manner explained hereinafter. Each of the shafts as has a pulley wheel 55 fixed thereto driven by a belt 56.

The devices l8, l8 used for checking the concentricity of the cylindrical surface of the shaft B are identical and referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 each comprises a column having a base 6| with a portion thereof extending int one of the channels 34 in the pedestal 32 of the frame for sliding movement transversely of the machine. Bolts 62 have their heads located in. the channel 34 and serve as guides for such movement of the columns transversely of themachine and each of the bolts 62 has its threaded end extending upwardly through the base 6| of the associated column to receive a nut 63 for clamping the base and thereby the column to the frame pedestal 32. As seen in Fig. 2, each of the columns 60 extends upwardly at one side of the shaft in and a block 64 (Fig. 3) is slidably mounted in a groove in the side of the column for vertical movement. Theblock 64 is provided with an elongate opening (not shown) receiving threaded members 65, 65 (Fig. 2) fixed to the column 55 and adapted to have threaded thereon thumb nuts 55, 65 for fixing the block in an adjusted position on the column for a purpose later to be described. At the upper end of each block 54, bracket 61 is fixed thereto and supports a casing 68 over the shaft l0 and beneath the shaft B and rollers Referring to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, each of the devices It, |8 further comprises a hollow plunger 69 reciprocably mounted within a tubular member 10 having one end extending within and fixed to the top wall of the casing 68, the plunger 69 having a flanged end ill engageable with a shoulder 12 on the member it to limit upward movement of the plunger by a spring 120. surrounding a pin 13 and having one end thereof engaging a flanged end of a sleeve 14 receiving the pin l3 and having its other end engaging the head of the pin 13 and a member 15 connected thereto and guiding the pin. To limit downward movement of the pin13 due to the action of the spring, a washer TI is riveted to the upper end of the pin 13 and engages the flanged end of the sleeve 14. The member 15 is engaged with a button 18 of an electric switch 19. The switch 19 is enclosed by pieces 19a, of fibre, or other dielectric material, which insulate the switch from the metallic casing 68. It will be apparent that downward movement of the plunger 69 will move the sleeve I4 thereby compressing the spring which will effect movement of the pin 73 and thereby the button 18 of the switch 19 to close contacts in the switch for establishin electrical circuits energizing a solenoid (Figs. 2 and 12). The plunger 59 is returned to its original position by the action of the spring against the member l5 and sleeve I4. It will b notedthe spring connection between the plunger actuated mechanism prevents damage to the switch which might occur if the plunger acted directly on the switch button.

Durin testing of the concentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of the shafts,,the spherical tips 69a of the plungers 69 engage the shaft tobe inspected and, during the rotation of the shaft by rollers any slight variation in the concentricity of the cylindrical surface of the shaft will cause actuation of one or the other of the plungers 69 and thereby the associated switch button 18 to close circuits described hereinafter for energizing the solenoid 80 (Fig. 2) whereby the core 8| of the solenoid 80 will be pulled down aaaram =7; weirdly-ta effect actuation of-za 1eve1 8kpivotallys conneotech'theretoand to; a :aplate; 83; --forming.,ae portions of vthez-delivery chute I 2a,= to cause: the platerz83 to tilt about itstpivotal connections-{84w toj adjacent side: walls-lot therframes.- (Fig.-. '1), as: shown inedotted Iines-inIFig- ZP: After-thal iuspection-cycle, rotation ottheshaft I I} and there-t by'wheels I4 will' occur and the defective shaft a will -roll-out ofethe notchesin thesrwheels M down an-rinclined member-=85 and then willfall-Q. through. an-eopeningu, in the table .I 2a; normally '5 closed by '1 the pl-ate" 83', into. a e-reject bin? or-re 1 ceptacle 86 fixed in anwsuitablexmanner vto the--7- frame otthe =machine-.- The-member-taiscon-. nested-to a standard-81 slidablyl mounted--.in a channel 34 in-theupedestaln-32 ofatheframe,-eX- tending-transversely of: the machineathrough"the connection of its base- 88- to "the pedestal: 32 in'ta manner' similar to that ofathe columnsrGEl *of the inspectiondevices I 8, I 8

Upondeenergization; of the solenoid v8fl ,\springs 88; and 90" connected to the stationary portionofthe etable- I 2a and to therlevertfilwill raise the-- solenoid score BI and returmthe lever BZ-andplate 83 to their original positions. It will therefore beapparent-that inuthe event the shaftbeing inspected has an eccentric cylindrical surface (outside certainallowed tolerances) that either of: the-devices *IB; IS-of'the inspection or checking mechanism is operative to set inmotion reject-mechanism indicating to-zthe-aoperator of the-machine that theshaft is defectivezand oirect'ingthedefective shaft to 'thereceptacle :86

In checking the concentricityot the cylindricat surfaces of; the shafts, travel: of theaplungers :69 qof .0003 .inch 'or less will make and-;breakethe--* contacts'of the switches-.- However, it-is 186%85 saryto compensate "forthe-small lost motion ot the plungeractuatedr xstructure i provided by the spring connectionwof; the parts, which/mayhe between :003 and .005-- inch; to-insure \making'ando breaking of; theswitch contacts with suoh minute-5. travel of theplungerss As previously -described; the--block--64 of the device I8may beaadiusted vertically to positionhthe .pIungerH-GS in engage- 31 5 mentwith the shaft B... However, it -will-be.ap-.- parent this coarse adjustment of the ntestihg dee vicesulil, I8 is inadequate-to compensate for-the af'o'resaid lost motion had-in the plu nger.-actn= atd structure. Accordingly; it h'assbeen found=- desirable to use the wedge arrangement tishow n. in Figs; 9 and.v10. More particularly the wedge;- arrangement 92 comprises iaepair. of; wedges 93; and '9depositioned within the casings-E8 the-iv edge QI l engaging the :bottom of the switchilfi and ha rin awedge" surface 95- in "engagement warrawedg e surface 96on\ the .wedge .94 seated on: the bottom wallof the casingtll-J Wedge-9t is mQV-w ablebetweenthe endwalls of theica-singr by means oi adjustingscrews M ami-n98 threedad-iv into said was and engaging the wedge 9 at opposite ends thereof. lt willibeaapparent that rotation of the I adj ustingtscrews S1 and: 88 will cause the wedge'94 to slide on the bottom wall-ctr" the-casing: 68 andmovathewedge Qt -and thereby? the switch Ht vertically minutea distancess through i the. medium 10f .the' cooperating wedge surfaces 95 and 96 set screwlilfi isethreadedr into the topwall-ofthe casin'ga and, engages-thee switch 19 V to preventupward movement of the v switch when-inadjusted-position.- It also, be (noted that a pair: of bolts: 1 0fi extendmhronghe. verticallyelongate slots I 01 in the sidee wallsot the: casing -v 68-, shown in Eig.-2',;and:: through, openings-1w the -switch l9, the-bolts: having muts- 751 I 0 2: threaded "on: their outwardlyz extendi-na nd -1:: for'fixing theswitch 19-in its'adiustedposition Referring-to; Figs 2-6,-:i llC1l1SiV6;thBPlIIdBX' mechanism" there shownzfor effecting the shaft 11 feeding, and inspection. cycles: of theamac-hine';-

comprises --a 'motor IIO*-.(Fig.: 4-) connected by' -a: belt andpnlley arrangement III to a speed re- -v ducergenerally indicatedd I2 having a pulley ;I I3: driving-=a-belt I55 which passes arounda pulleys serveseto drive the wheels=55 passeswaroundwthey pulley-"I56 and -'also-arounda belt. tightening; pulley II-tmountedcon one end.- of a-levermI I5 pivoted at--I Ittov the frame of .jthe macla-ineandy;-

connected intermediate its-irends-toj'a ,spring- -I-I I secured:at"0ne endthereof-to the; side WalLof; the frame Fixed-to the --shaft-are GCCElltIlCS-z or cams; I I8 and I I9 'constitutingthe cam *device ZI. The cam- I9-isengageab1e withw'a'roller; I2 0- rotatably mounted onza lever- I 2 I; pivoted atv I 22 to the column 3- of the machine frame as shown; in Fig.3.." The lever-,IZI is-connectedab0vethe pivot: point -I 22-;1' to one-end of a spring-1'23 hav.-, ing' its --other-end connected to the-side wall ,of;.

theframev to constantlyurgeathe roller- I2Il -into.

engagement with thecam -:I I9; The lever, I2I3; forms aportion of the pawland ratchet-mecha-'- nism indicated at 22 .in Fig: 4 and the. upper-.-' portion-:of-the lever; is formed with a detent-{I 24 abutting one of the 29813111125011 a' ratchet wheel;

I 26 fixed to the shaft 1 I]: Pivotally" connected as at I21 to the upper portion of the lever is a pawl; I28 urged into abutment with another-tooth:-I'25- oftheratchet wheel I26 by a torsion spring: 129", coiled-"about studs on the pawl-l28 andhaving; engagement with the top of :the'lever I2I'.-

In the position of the parts in Fig. "4, the shaft". B has Just been moved into A positionfor testing;- by thefdevices I8; I8 and -the surfacezI30'of-thelobe on the cam H9 is in engagement with theroller on the lever IZ-I to position the'leverwith its detent I24 in-abutment with a toothI25 of theratchet wheel, the rollers-H- being,raised at thistimee The pulley H3 -is continually; rotated by the belt 56 and the surface I30 of the cam-I I9 isreffective to maintainrthe pawland ratchetdea vice 22 stationary and: thereafterto -move-thesame outwardly during engagement of the rollers:- I 20 withethe surfaces I 3 I and.:I 3210f the cam- I I 9 dur-ing which time the shaftB-is-rotatedpne ormore revolutions by: the rollers I1 for checking; theconcentricity of the cylindrical surface'of the shait by thedevices -I 8;: I 8 rotation ofqthe ratchet-.- wheel" I25; wheels I 4 andsh'aft-IB being prevented by holdingmeans-laterdescribed; At thexendsofw this period-,: the roller I-ZOofvthe lever: I-2I-travelsz' alongthe angularly inclined surface I 31a; of the; lobe on'the cam II9E'foreffecting-operation of-- the pawl-1and-ratchet device 22. toyrotate the: wheels M' to release'the inspectedshaft and bring." ashaft to'be inspected into'position-above th'eide vices- I8; I8 and beneath. therotatingrollersl. More-particularly; movement ofthe roller I20" along vthe surfaces V I3 I and I32 of the :Ca-mg I'I9s' will effect movement of the =.upper-portionof: the; lever to-the -rightto=remove the detent Hit-from,- the engaged ratchet-wheel tooth I25 andsthe'; pawl I281 will berwithdrawnv from the ezigaged" ratchet wheel tooth I 25 and be rotatedabout the: pivot-point .12! by'the-springs I29; I29 to-anlex" tent determined by the pin and: slotconnectiom of the pawl and the lever- IZI, said-connection;- comprising; a=pin I33-fixed tothe lever-IZI reeceivedwithin azslot i34:in-the--pawlj I 28v Suchi; ivotal movement ofthe pawl"- Ina-will: be ets vnotches I53 in-a wheel I54 (Fig.

a a e fective to cause thepawl I28 to engage the next tooth disposed in a counter-clockwise direction on the ratchet wheel I25. Upon engagement of the roller I20 with the angularly inclined surface I3Ia and surface I30 on the lobe of the cam IIS, the lever will be rotated to cause the pawl, through its engagement with the tooth of the ratchet wheel, to rotate the ratchet Wheel and thereby the shaft If] to revolve the wheels I4 to release the inspected shaft and positionthe shaft to be inspected above the devices I8, Is. There after, the detent I24 on the lever I2I will become effective to engage one of the teeth I25 of the ratchet wheel and cooperate with the pawl I28 engaging another tooth of the ratchet wheel.

The cam H8 is instrumental in operatng the slide device 23 which is adapted to "en age the bearing block 53, mountin the shafts 36 carrying the rollers IT, for rai ing the block and thereby the rollers I I during rotation of the shaftcarrying wheels I l and to lower the rollers I'I into engagement with the shaft being inspected to rotate the shaft during'the inspection cycle of the machine. To obtain this desirable result, the cam I I8 is engageable with a roller I40 connected to a sliding member MI adapted, during the time of indexing the machine to bring a new shaft into position for inspection, to maintain the rollers I! in a raised position and to permit lowering the rollers I'I during the inspection cycle. For this purpose, the member MI is provided a with a reduced portion sldably received within a bracket I42 fixed to the Wall 3 of the frame I and is provided with an elongate opening I43 through which the shaft II! extends. end of the member I4 I is received within a bracket I44 fixed to the frame wall 3. The cams H8 and II9 are so coordinated that the rollers I? will be disposed in raised position during rotation of the wheels I l and will bein lowered position to drivingly engage the shaft to be inspected when the wheels I4 are stationary as will be presently described. Therefore, upon rotation of the cam N8, the eccentric surface Il a of the cam will be effective to cause the sliding member II to move upwardly to engage the bearing block 49 to raise the rollers I? from the shaft B before and after the inspection cycle of the machine, the cam I I8 being of a formation suitable to perform this operation and also to permit the sliding member MI and the block 59 to be urged downwardly by the compressed springs 53 to engage the rollers with the shaft to be insp cted. It willbe apparent that the spring I 23 will pull the lever II5 to exert tension on the belt 56 to continuously drive the pulleys 55, 55 and thereby the rollers I! and also the pulley I I3 and thereby the cams IIS and H9 during the operation of the machine.

In order to insure that t e dri ing rollers l'."

will not rotate the shaft-supportiog wheels I4 during the inspection of a shaft. the b aving block .9 has connected to one si"e th r of a plate I59 (Fig. 6) through which the shafts 4E, 46 carrying the rollers I! ext nd, the plate 58 being secur d to the bearing block 49 by means of screws I5! and having a downwardly exten ing tooth or latch I52 adapted to be received in one of the 3) having a splined connection to the shaft If Eac of the notches I53 in the wheel 255 is aligned with notch It? in the adfacent wheel i i a daccor' ingly, the tooth I52 will enter into one of the notches in the wheel I54 when the rollers I?! are lowered into engagement with the wheels, I I, vIt to The upper 10 prevent rotation of the wheels It, I4 by the rotating rollers I! through the medium of the shaft being inspected during the inspection cycle.

Describing the operation of the cams H8 and H9 to effect the cooperative movement of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 22 and slide device 23 for indexing the shaft-feeding and inspection cycles of the machine, as previously stated with reference to the position of the parts in Fig. l, the cam H9 has its surface I30 engaged with the roller I261 of the mechanism 22 and the shaft has just been moved to inspection position and it will be noted that, at this time, the surface II8a of the cam H8 is at its high point and, therefore, the slide member MI is in its raised position so that the rollers II are not engaged with the shaft. As the cams IIS and I I9 continue rotating, the roller I 39 will roll along the surfaces I3I and I32 of the cam I I9 to cause the pawl I28 and detent I26 of the pawl and ratchet mechanism to be withdrawn from the ratchet wheel I26 and become engaged with the next adjacent teeth in a counter-clockwise direction. During this time, the roller I49 on the slide member I4! will travel from the highest to the lowest point on the surface II8a of the cam IIS and, accordingly, the slide member will be lowered to engage the rollers I? with the shaft to be inspected to rotate the shaft. It may be noted that the sliding latch IE3, carried by the bearing block 59, will also be lowered and received within one of the notches I53 in the wheel IM to prevent rotation of the shaft-carrying wheels It, I l during the rotation of the rollers I1 and the shaft in the inspection period.

After the inspection of the shaft, the surface I-SIa of the cam II9 will engage the roller I 33 of the lever IZI to cause the pawl I28 to rotate the ratchet wheel I26 and thereby the shaft-carrying wheels I 4, I4 to release the inspected shaft and bring another shaft into inspecting position above the testing devices I8, I8. During this time, the roller Mil of the slide member MI will roll along the surface II8a of the cam II8 or gradually increasing radius to move the bearing block 39 and thereby the rollers I! to raised position out of contact with the inspected shaft being released and another shaft being brought into inspecting position. The foregoing cycle is then repeated.

As previously described, the speed reducer H2 is operative to drive a belt and pulley arrangement to drive the belt 56 drivingly connected to the pulley I I3 rotating the shaft I51 and thereby the cams I I8 and I IS, the belt 56 also driving the pulley H4, as well as the pulleys driving the rollers Il. The speed reducer II2 drives the belt 56 through the medium of a belt I55 which drivingly engages'a pulley I56 (Figs. 2 and 3)'keyed to the shaft I51 to which the pulley wheel H3 is connected. The shaft I 51 is rotatably mountedin the standard 2 and wall 3 of the machine frame and at one end thereof is fixed a'sprocket wheel I58 comprising a portion of the indexing mechanism for effecting operation of..the cams I3 to permit feeding of one of the shafts at a time from the table I2 to notches I5 -'in the shaft-carrying wheels I4.

The sprocket wheel I58 is connected by means of a chain I59 to another sprocket wheel I6!) (Figs. 2 and 5) rotatably' mounted in the sidewall Ia. of the machine and op'erat'ively connected and 239 of said solenoids will be actuated to establish a circuit for energizing the reject solenoid 8D. This circuit comprises the power line 205, armature 2i6, conductor 2|9, switch 225, conductor 226, conductor 24!), armature 2M of the solenoid 234; conductor 242, coil 243 of the solenoid 8E1, conductor 2%, conductor 231, armature 215, and power line 284. It will thus be apparent that, inasmuch as the switches 19 are connected in parallel between the conductors 226 and 229, closing of the contacts of either switch 19 will establish a circuit for energizing solenoid 80 to tilt the plate 83 to cause the defective shaft to roll into the receptacle 86. It may be noted that as soon as the defective shaft moves from inspecting position the closed contacts of the switch i9, actuated by the depressed plunger 69, will open and break the circuit energizing the solenoid 86 to make it possible for the plate 83 to return to its original position prior to the defective shaft being received in the receptacle 86. To prevent deenergization of the solenoid 80, a holding circuit for maintaining the solenoid energized is established, upon closing of the contacts of either of the switches '59, 19.

This holding circuit extends from the power line 295, armature ZIE, conductor 259, switch 225, conductor 226, conductor 245 armature 245i, conductor 24?, coils 232 and 233 connected in parallel to the conductor 24'! and conductor 23S, conductor 236, conductor 231, armature 2E5 to the power line 206. This holding circuit for the solenoid 8B is broken upon opening of the contacis of the switch 225. It will thus be apparent that the electrical control system illustrated in Fig. 12 is operative to control the operation of the motor Hi3 and, upon engagement of either plunger 69 of the testing devices 58 with a defective shaft, effect energization of the solenoid 80 to tilt the plate 83, forming a portion of the delivery chute l2a to cause the defective shaft to roll into the reject bin 85.

As just described, the switch 225 is operative to insure deenergization of the solenoid 80 and thereby return of the plate 83, forming a portion of the table lZa, to its normal position (shown in full lines in Fig. 2) by the action of the springs 89 and 9d. As shown in Fig. 2, the camswitch 225 is disposed adjacent the toggle linkage 20 of the indexing mechanism and the contacts of the switch are closed in the position of the parts of the linkage shown. Upon actuation of the linkage 29 to effect rotation of the shaft 2'? and thereby the cams !3 to release a shaft to the drums :4, the arm l6! of the linkage will be urged downwardly by the link Hi3 and the arm iBl will actuate the switch 225 to open the contacts of the same. In the operation of the machine and considering a defective shaft has caused the energization of the sole-.

the switch 225 to cause deenergization of the solenoid Bi! and thereby return of the tilting plate 83 of the table i202 to its normal position before the testing of the shaft in testing position. Thus, the contacts of the cam switch 225 are opened to effect deenergization of the J.

solenoid 80 prior to the testing of the shaft succeeding a defective shaft. It will be apparent that we have provided a. fully automatic machine for checking or testing the concentricity of the cylindrical surfaces of shafts. However, it will be understood the machine may be utilized for the testing of any articles having a cylindrical surface and various modifications and changes may be efiected in the illustrated application without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: I

1. A cyclicly operable gauging apparatus for gauging the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary article-receiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gaug ing station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiving the gauged articles, means for .periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted to the discharge station and deposited in said discharge chute, an article support positioned at the gaugin station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the. feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, said gauging means comprising a gauging unit cooperating with said support for gauging the article at the gauging station, a continuously rotatable friction roller movable toward and away from said support into and out of engagement with an article at said gauging station, and means operable upon each indexing operation of the conveyor for bodily movin said roller away from said support and out of engagement with an article at the gauging station to permit the article to be conducted to the discharge station and for thereafter bodily movin saidroller toward said support and into frictional engagement with the next succeeding article arriving at the gauging station for rotating the same during the gauging operation.

2. A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apparatus for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary articlereceiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted. upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a sorting device at the discharge station, a reject bin at said dischargestation'into which abnormal articles are adapted to be ejected from the conveyor by said sorting device, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gaming station while an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted to the discharge station, a stationary article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles moveupon arrival at the gauging sta- "-tion;-meansoperable 1 upon" initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the-feed chute and depositing-the same on the conveyor; saidgauging-means comprising a ---gauging-unit cooperatingwithsaidsupport for gauging'the'article-atthe gauging station, acon- -t-inuouslyrotatable-friction roller movable toward and away fromsaid support into and out' of engagement with an aticle at said gauging sta- :tion'; meansoperable upon-each indexing operation of"-the con-veyor=for bodily moving said roller away from said support-and out 'of engagement with an article at the gauging station to permit "the'ar-ticleto be conducted to: the discharge station and-for thereafter bodily movingsaid roller toward said support-and into frictional engage- -ment with the next succeeding article arriving at the gauging-station for rotating the same during the "gauging operation, and means operable ".under -the control "of said gauging means for selectively.actuating said sorting device.

3.2A-:cyc1icly--operable gauging and sorting ap- =aparatus=- for-gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary article-receiving:.conveyor capable of being periodically-- charge stati-oma feedjchute at the receiving :.station,. gauging means :atthe gauging station, a;dis.cha'rge;chute:at:thedischarge station for receiving the gauged articles, a :rejectbin disposed adjacentcsaid dischargegchute; a' sorting plate 1r.-carriediby saidgdischargewchutezandmovable :from anormally closed position teen-open posietionyvheliejnian; abnormalarticle discharged from ;:said conveyor. atjthe ;:discharge=.:station;- is 'jCOIl- .ductedtosaid :rejectrbin, means for periodically .indexing--said-;,conveyor whereby-ran article :at lathe receiving-station zwillnbe conducted tothe gauging station while an articleat the latter station will \bewsimultaneouslyconducted to the discharge station and deposited :"inwsaid "discharge chute, astationary articlesupport positioned; at the/gauging station in the path-of movementof the articles-and onto which said articles ;movc upon arrivalzat. the gauging statiommeans operable upon initiation of each indexing :operation .-.-for releasing anarticle .from'v the feed chute and .depositingthe-same on the conveyor said gaug- .,jng,means comprising a .gaugingunit cooperating with said support for gauging the article at the .wgaugingwstation, a continuously rotatable fricztioIrroller. -atsaid-gauging station movable toaward land, away from said support; means' opeerable ,upon each indexingoperation -of: the conveyon-for-bodily-moving said roller away from said support. and out ut engagement. with an larticlepatwthe gauging -.station to permitv the.

particle ;to.v,-be;- conducted .to the discharge station .and. f,or thereafter .bodilymoving said roller .toward said support and into ,=:f-rictional engage- ,ment with. theraiext succeeding-article:- arriving atthe: gauging: station for-rotating the-sameduring the gaugingeperation,and-means: operable under =.-the. .control--of said gauging means for :actuatingasaid: sorting plate.

.,4., A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apsparatus -for gauging and sorting -the-cylindrical .surfaces. of; v articlesincludinga orotary article- -r-receiving 1c.onveyorecapable :of. :beingperiodically "'tindexcdz ahdazacmpted supon rsuccessive indexing .zoperationsthereof-to receivethe articles at are- '-ceivingzzstationp:convey them 'to a "gauging "sta- 16 "'tion, and'from thence convey-themto a discharge station; a feed chute" at the-receiving station, gauging means at the gaugingstation, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiv- 5 ing the gaugedarticles, areject bin disposed'adjacent said'discharge chute, a sorting platecarried-by said discharge chute-andmovableirom a normally closed position to an open position wherein an abnormal articledischarged' from said conveyor atthe discharge station-is conducted to said reject bin; means for-periodicallyindexing said conveyor whereby an article at the =receiving station will be conducted'to'the gaug- -ingstation=while an article at the latter station will-be simultaneously conducted to the-"discharge station and deposited in said discharge chute, a stationaryarticle support positioned at 'the'gauging'station in the path of movementoi 'the aticles and onto which-said articlesmove uponarrivalat the gauging station, meansoperable upon initiation 'of each indexing operation for releasing an article from thefe'ed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor,"-said gauging means comprising a gauging unit c0- operating *with said support for gauging the article at the gauging station, a continuously'rotatable" friction roller at said gauging station -mova'ble toward and" away from said support, means operable upon each indexing operationof the conveyor for bodily moving said roller-away from said support andout of engagement with an article at the gauging'station to permit the -article tobe conducted to the 'dis'chargestation --a'nd for=thereafter bodily moving said roller-toward said support and into frictional'engagement with the next succeeding article arriving-rat the "gauging station, and asolenoid connectedto'sa'id sortingfiplate and operable upon energization thereof-to move-the sorting plate to "its' open 4o position, an="electrical circuit for said solenoid, said gauging unit 1 including a normally-open switch in said circuit and operable-when an ab- --normalarticle is f encountered .at thegau'ging station to become closed and 'complete'the cicuit through saidsolenoid.

5; cIn anrapparatusfor gauging the-cylindrical surfaces of: articles, a rotary*drum'-lil-:e articlereceiving conveyorcapable of being-periodically indexed and adapted upon successive.=indexing operations thereof toreceive" the articles at aa receiving-station; convey them to a gaugingzstation, and from thence convey-them to a discharge station; a feed chute at the receivingzstation, .qagauging means at thegauging station;-. a discharge." chute atzthe discharge station 'for receiv- "ing the gauged articles, a plurality of peripheral recesses formed insa'id conveyorandzmovable upon indexing ofthe "lattersuccessively-into alignment .with said feed "chutevatthe receiving no station-= to receive --an article therein and "into alignment' with the discharge chute "to' deposit a-gaugediarticle therein,:an article support positioned; at. the gauging .station -in 1 theripath'i'of movementv of thezarticles and onto-which said articlesmove upon arrival at the gauging'sta- .tion, means for adjusting the position -ofwsaid support ,to accommodate articles of different diameter and to. premit articles onthe'support to engage-the.sideslofnsaid recessesfor confining purposes, said, gaugingmeans comprisinga gauging unit cooperating with .said support, for gauging the, articles. atv the. gauging. station; a continuously .rotatable friction. roller atesaid --gauging 'stationadapted to bear against each article and-by frictional contact therewith r0- 1 7v tate the latter in said recesses and on said support during the gauging operation.

6. A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apparatus for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary articlereceiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a sorting device at the discharge station, a reject bin at said discharge station into which abnormal articles are adapted to be ejected from the. conveyor by said sorting device, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted tothe discharge station, a stationary article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto. which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, said gauging means comprising a gauging unit cooperating with said support for gauging the article at the gauging station, means at said gauging station for rotating the articles to be gauged during the gauging operation, and means operable under the control of said gauging means for selectively actuating said sorting device.

7. A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apparatus for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary articlereceiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiving the gauged articles, a reject bin disposed adjacent said discharge chute, a sorting plate carried by said discharge chute and movable from a normally closed position to an open position wherein an abnormal article discharged from said conveyor at the discharge station is conducted to said reject bin, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while an article at the latter station wiil be simulaneously conducted to the discharge station and deposited in said discharge chute, a stationary article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for-releasing an article from the feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, said gauging means comprising a gauging unit cooperating with said support for gauging the article at the gauging station, means at said gauging station for rotating the articles to be gauged during the gauging operation, and means operable under the control of said gauging means for actuating said sorting plate, a solenoid connected to said sorting plate and operable upon energization thereofto move the sorting plate to its open position, an electrical circuit forjsaid 18 solenoid, said gauging unit'including a normally open switch in said circuit and operable when an abnormal article is encountered at the gauging station to become closed and complete the circuit through said solenoid.

8. A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apparatus for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary articlereceiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiving the gauged articles, a reject bin disposed adjacent said discharge chute, a sorting plate carried by said discharge chute and movable from a normally closed position to an open position wherein an abnormal article discharged from said conveyor at the discharge station is conducted to said reject bin, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted to the discharge station and deposited in said discharge chute, a stationary article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, said gauging means comprising a gauging unit cooperating with said support for gauging the article at the gauging station, a continuously rotatable friction roller at said gauging station movable toward and away from said support, means operable upon each indexing operation of the conveyor for bodily moving said roller away from said support and out of engagement with an article at the gauging station to permit the article to be conducted to the discharge station and for thereafter bodily moving said roller toward said support and into frictional engagement with the next succeeding article arriving at the gauging station for rotating the same during the gauging operation, means operable under the control of said gauging means for moving said sorting plate to its open position when an abnormal article is encountered at said gauging station. and time delay means for maintaining said sorting plate in its open position after the gauging operation has been completed until such time as the gauged abnormal article arrives at said receiving station.

9. A cyclicly operable gauging and sorting apparatus for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles including a rotary articlereceiving conveyor capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiving the gauged articles, a reject bin disposed cent said discharge chute, a sorting plate carried by said discharge chute and movable from normally closed position to an open position wherein an abnormal article discharged from said conveyor at the discharge station is contransit l9 ducted to said reject bin, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted to the discharge station and deposited in said discharge chute, a stationary article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, said gauging means comprising a gauging unit cooperating with said support f r gauging the article at the gauging station, a continuously rotatable friction roller at said gauging station movable to-. ward and away from said support, means operable, upon each indexing operation of the conveyor for bodily moving said roller away from said support and out of engagement, with an article at the gauging station to permit the article to. be conducted to the discharge station and for thereafter bodily moving said roller toward said support and into frictional engagement with the next succeeding article arriving at the gauging station for rotating the same during the gauging operation, a solenoid connected to said sorting plate and operable upon energization thereof to move the sorting plate to its open position, an electrical' circuit for said solenoid, said gauging unit including a normally open switch operable when an abnormal article is encountered at the gauging station to become closed and complete the circuit through said solenoid, and a holding circuit for maintaining said solenoid circuit efiective during movement of the abnormal article from said gauging station to said discharge station.

1b. In a cyclicly operable gauging apparatus for gauging the cylindrical surfaces of elongated articles at axially spaced points therealong, a rotary spool-like conveyor having article-supporting discs at opposite ends thereof adapted to receive thereon the ends of the articles to be gauged with the articles bridging the distance etween said discs, said conveyor being capable of being periodically indexed and adapted on successive indexing operations to receive the artioles at a receiving station, convey them to a gau ing station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, an article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of; thearticles and onto which said articles move upon arriving at the gauging station, said support being positioned between said discs and serving to support the medial portions of the article, at the gauging station, a feed chute at the receiving station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for. receiving the gauged articles, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station while simultaneously an article at the latter station will be conducted to the discharge station and deposited in. said discharge chute, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation fo releasing an article from the feed chute and deposit ingthe same on the conveyor, said gaugingmeans comprising a pluralityof movable gauging fingers locatedat, spaced points axially along the articles to be gauged and each positioned to contact a surface of the article to be gauged, and means at said gauging station for rotating the articles during the gauging operation.

11. In a cyclicly, operable gauging apparatus 20 for gauging and sorting the cylindrical surfaces of articles, a supporting frame-work. a drumlike conveyor mounted in said frame-work for revolution about a horizontal axis, said conveyor being capable of being periodically indexed and adapted upon successive indexing operations thereof to receive the articles at a receiving station, convey them to a gauging station, and from thence convey them to a discharge station, a feed chute at the receiving station, gauging means at the gauging station, a discharge chute at the discharge station for receiving the gauged articles, means for periodically indexing said conveyor whereby an article at the receiving station will be conducted to the gauging station While an article at the latter station will be simultaneously conducted to the discharge station, an article support positioned at the gauging station in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival at the gauging station, means operable upon initiation of each indexing operation for releasing an article from the feed chute and depositing the same on the conveyor, a plurality of rotatable friction rollers at said gauging station movable bodily in unison toward and away from said support, a pulley connected to each friction roller, a main driving pulley, a belt passing around said pulleys of a length providing a substantial slack portion, means operable during each indexing operation of the conveyor for bodily moving said rollers as a unit away from said support and out of engagement with an article at the gauging station to permit the article to be conducted to the discharge station and for thereafter bodily moving said rollers as a unit toward said support and into frictional engagement with the next succeeding article arriving at the gauging station, and yieldable means operable during such bodily movement of said friction rollers for taking up the slack existing in said belt.

12. Apparatus for gauging the cylindrical surfaces of elongated tubular articles comprising, in

- combination, a rotary conveyor for receiving and conducting the articles successively from a receiving station to a gauging station and from thence to a discharge station, said conveyor including a pair of spaced disc-like members having pairs of aligned V-shaped notches in the periphery thereof adapted to receive therein the ends of the article to be gauged, a stationary article support positioned at the receiving station between said members and in the path of movement of the articles and onto which said articles move upon arrival atthe gauging station, means for adjusting the position of said support radially with respect to said members in various positions of registry with each of said aligned pair of notches at the gauging station to accommodate positioning of an article at the gauging stationwith its cylindrical surface resting upon said support and engaging the sides of the notches, a plurality of friction rollers at said gauging station movable bodily toward and away from said. support and adapted to bear against the cylindrical surface of an article at the gauging station to confine the same within said notches while at the same time rotating the article for gauging purposes, a gauging finger cooperating with said support and adapted to bear against the cylindrical surface of the article on the support to effect the gauging operation, meansfor periodically indexing said conveyor to conduct an article from the receiving station to HARRY N. BANEY.

LOUIS ALLEN COOPER SLENTZ. ARLO A. KIRKPATRICK. CHARLES E. BRICKLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date Richmond Apr. 11, 1899 Switzer Nov. 2, 1909 Phelps Jan. 23, 1923 Anderson Aug. 18, 1931 Cramer May 10, 1938 Owens Jan. 11, 1944 Ruau May 22, 1945 Darrah Sept. 3, 1946 

